System for the treatment of wastewater

ABSTRACT

A system and method for backwashing a sand filter in a wastewater treatment system. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for backwashing a sand filter comprising: a sand filter configured to remove solids from an untreated wastewater; a container storing chlorine fluidly coupled to the sand filter by a chlorine supply manifold; a flow control mechanism positioned on the chlorine supply manifold between the container and the sand filter, the flow control mechanism alterable between a first position whereby chlorine cannot flow from the container to the sand filter and a second position whereby chlorine flows from the container to the sand filter, the flow control mechanism being biased into the first position; and a processor operably coupled to the flow control mechanism and configured to automatically actuate the flow control mechanism into the second position upon detecting that the sand filter is being backwashed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/947,883, filed Jul. 22, 2013, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/674,040, filed on Jul. 20,2012, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for thetreatment of wastewater, and specifically to a system and method forremoving contaminants from wastewater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Construction sites, major industrial properties, riverbeds, caissons,mine shafts and the like have a tendency to collect wastewater. Thiswastewater must be removed to enable construction to take place on theconstruction site or cleaned to remove toxins and the like fromriverbeds. The wastewater that collects in these locations containscontaminants such as iron, nickel, zinc, chromium, arsenic, lead andmany others. Water that is removed from a wastewater site must complywith specific discharge limitations prior to being discharged to surfacewater, such as a fresh water stream or river. Thus, the contaminantsmust be removed from the wastewater prior to discharge.

Previous systems and methods for removing contaminants from wastewaterare too costly, too difficult to manufacture, non-movable and do notoperate at desired or variable speeds. Thus, a need exists for a systemand method for the treatment of wastewater that increases the speed atwhich the wastewater can be treated and more effectively removes thecontaminants from the wastewater.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are met by the present invention, which isdirected to a system and method for the treatment of wastewater. In oneaspect, the invention can be a method for treating wastewatercomprising: a) introducing untreated wastewater into a holding tank; b)flowing the untreated wastewater into a first wastewater treatmenttrailer to provide a first treatment regimen to the untreated wastewaterto form a first treated wastewater; c) flowing the first treatedwastewater into a second wastewater treatment trailer to provide asecond treatment regimen to the first treated wastewater to form asecond treated wastewater; and wherein the holding tank, the firstwastewater treatment trailer and the second wastewater treatment trailerare fluidly coupled together to facilitate flow of the untreatedwastewater into and through each of the holding tank and the firstwastewater treatment trailer and flow of the first treated wastewaterinto and through the second wastewater treatment trailer.

In another aspect, the invention can be a system for treating wastewatercomprising: a holding tank configured to store untreated wastewater; afirst trailer configured to provide a first treatment regimen to theuntreated wastewater to form a first treated wastewater; a secondtrailer configured to provide a second treatment regimen to the firsttreated wastewater to form a second treated wastewater; and wherein theholding tank, the first trailer and the second trailer are fluidlycoupled together to facilitate flow of the untreated wastewater into andthrough each of the holding tank and the first trailer and flow of thefirst treated wastewater into and through the second trailer.

In yet another aspect, the invention can be a method of backwashing asand filter in a wastewater treatment system, the method comprising: a)flowing wastewater through at least one sand filter in a first flowdirection; b) backwashing the at least one sand filter to formbackwashed water; and c) upon initiation of step b), automaticallyinjecting chlorine into the at least one sand filter.

In a further aspect, the invention can be a system for backwashing asand filter comprising: at least one sand filter configured to removesolids from an untreated wastewater; a container storing chlorinetherein, the container being fluidly coupled to the at least one sandfilter by a chlorine supply manifold; a flow control mechanismpositioned on the chlorine supply manifold between the container and theat least one sand filter, the flow control mechanism alterable between afirst position whereby chlorine cannot flow from the container to the atleast one sand filter and a second position whereby chlorine flows fromthe container to the at least one sand filter, the flow controlmechanism being biased into the first position; and a processor operablycoupled to the flow control mechanism and configured to automaticallyactuate the flow control mechanism into the second position to flow thechlorine from the container into the at least one sand filter upondetecting that the at least one sand filter is being backwashed.

In a still further aspect, the invention can be a method of treatingwastewater comprising: a) flowing wastewater into at least one sandfilter; b) backwashing the sand filter to form backwashed water; and c)flowing the backwashed water from the sand filter to at least onehydrocyclone to separate the backwashed water into solid material andliquid.

In still another aspect, the invention can be a system for treatingwastewater comprising: at least one sand filter configured to removesolids from an untreated wastewater; at least one hydrocyclone having aninlet port fluidly coupled to the at least one sand filter by a backwashconduit, the backwash conduit carrying backwash wastewater from the atleast one sand filter to the at least one hydrocyclone when the at leastone sand filter is being backwashed, the at least one hydrocycloneconfigured to separate the backwash wastewater into solid material and aliquid; the at least one hydrocyclone having a first outlet port fluidlycoupled to a settling tank and a second outlet port fluidly coupled to aslop tank; and wherein the liquid flows from the at least onehydrocyclone through the first outlet port and into the settling tankand wherein the solid material flows from the at least one hydrocyclonethrough the second outlet port and into the slop tank.

In an even further aspect, the invention can be a frac tank systemcomprising: a frac tank having an inner cavity, a body of fluid having asurface level contained within the inner cavity of the frac tank; afirst weir dividing the inner cavity into an aeration chamber and adischarge chamber, the aeration chamber being in fluid communicationwith the discharge chamber; and an aerator system fluidly coupled to theaeration chamber and configured to introduce a gas into a bottom portionof the aeration chamber to aerate a portion of the body of fluid that iscontained within the aeration chamber and prevent solid particles fromaccumulating on a floor of the aeration chamber.

The invention may, in yet another aspect, be a frac tank systemcomprising: a frac tank having an inner cavity, a body of fluid having asurface level contained within the inner cavity of the frac tank; anaerator system comprising a blower that is permanently mounted to thefrac tank and one or more conduits coupled to the blower; and whereinthe aerator system is configured to introduce a gas into a bottomportion of the inner cavity to aerate the body of fluid and preventsolid particles from accumulating on a floor of the aeration chamber.

In another aspect, the invention can be a frac tank system comprising: afrac tank having an inner cavity, a body of fluid having a surface levelcontained within the inner cavity of the frac tank; a weir dividing theinner cavity into an aeration chamber and a discharge chamber; at leastone inlet port formed into a first sidewall of the frac tank forintroducing the fluid into the aeration chamber; a first outlet portformed into a second sidewall of the frac tank for drawing the fluidfrom a bottom portion of the discharge chamber; and a second outlet portformed into the second sidewall of the frac tank for drawing the fluidfrom a top portion of the discharge chamber.

In yet another aspect, the invention can be a wastewater treatmentsystem comprising: a first trailer comprising: a sand filter system; oneor more hydrocyclones fluidly coupled to the sand filter system; asettling tank fluidly coupled to the one or more hydrocyclones; and aslop tank fluidly coupled to the one or more hydrocyclones.

In a further aspect, the invention can be a wastewater treatment systemcomprising: a first trailer comprising: a sand filter system; a clayfilter system fluidly coupled to the sand filter system; one or morehydrocyclones fluidly coupled to the sand filter system; and a settlingtank fluidly coupled to the one or more hydrocyclones; a second trailercomprising: a carbon filter system fluidly coupled to the clay filtersystem of the first trailer; and a bag filter system fluidly coupled tothe carbon filter system; and a frac tank fluidly coupled to the sandfilter system and to the settling tank.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wastewater treatment system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a top view of a holding tank of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a side view of a holding tank of the overall system of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III ofFIG. 2A;

FIG. 4A is a top view of an aerator manifold of an aerator system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a front view of the aerator manifold of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a side view of the aerator manifold of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a top view of a first trailer of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a side view of a first trailer of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a top view of a second trailer of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a side view of a second trailer of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A is a first portion of a schematic diagram of the system of FIG.1;

FIG. 7B is a second portion of the schematic diagram of the system ofFIG. 1, wherein the nodes A, B and C are used to illustrate connectionpoints between the first portion of the schematic diagram illustrated inFIG. 7A and the second portion of the schematic diagram illustrated inFIG. 7B;

FIG. 8A is a schematic view of a first control panel and an electricalschematic of the power distribution thereof in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a schematic view of a second control panel and an electricalschematic of the power distribution thereof in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an electrical schematic of the relay logic controls of thefirst control panel of FIG. 8A; and

FIG. 9B is an electrical schematic of the relay logic controls of thesecond control panel of FIG. 8B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

The present invention is directed to a system and a method for thetreatment of wastewater. The system is in certain embodiments agroundwater treatment system that can be used to treat water at multiplesites during construction, such as during the installation of apipeline. Wastewater from construction sites can include constructionsite surface runoff, wastewater from vehicle washing, wastewater fromsite toilet, canteen and plant maintenance facilities, wastewater fromboring works and the like. The system can remove a variety ofcontaminants as discussed below, can be used at various flow rates, andis mobile and easily serviced. In certain embodiments, the system cantreat wastewater to desired or required discharge limitations at a flowrate of up to and including 500 gallons per minute. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the invention is directed to a three trailer system wherebythe three trailers are fluidly and operably coupled together to performa wastewater treatment regimen. Each of the trailers performs adifferent treatment regimen, and thus the invention allows for a plugand play type of wastewater treatment system where trailers can beswapped in and out for each other in accordance with the needs of aparticular site that contains wastewater that needs treatment. Theinvention will be described with particular reference to the embodimentdepicted in the drawings, but it should be appreciated that variouspermutations are possible.

The system of the present invention is able to remove at least thefollowing contaminants from wastewater: iron, gamma-BHC, chromium,nickel, zinc, arsenic, copper, mercury, selenium, lead, beryllium,chlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane,trichloroethylene, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, benzo(a)anthrecene,chrysene, phenol, naphthalene, diedrin and others. The system may notremove all of the contaminants completely from the wastewater, but itdoes so to enable the water being discharged from the system to meetdischarge limitations. Specifically, when the water is discharged fromthe system after treatment, the water may be discharged to a fresh waterstream, an ocean, a lake or any other body of water. If the wastewateris not treated prior to such discharge, the wastewater can damage theecosystem of those downstream water bodies. Wastewater discharged fromconstruction sites is monitored and must meet strict dischargelimitations in terms of contamination concentrations, pollutant levelsand the like in order to protect the downstream water bodies and theirecosystems. Thus, the water being discharged can not be a pollutant orcontain high levels of contamination. Thus, the above contaminants andothers are removed or reduced so as to sufficiently meet these pre-setdischarge limitations. For example, in one embodiment the wastewater mayenter the inventive system having 151,000 ug/L of iron and the dischargelimitation may be that the iron can be at a maximum of 2,000 ug/L. Theinventive system will properly reduce the iron concentration to at orbelow 2,000 ug/L. The same can be said of each and every one of theabove listed contaminants (and others not listed).

Referring first to FIG. 1, the invention is directed to a system for thetreatment of wastewater 100 comprising a holding tank 200, a firsttrailer 300 and a second trailer 400. In certain embodiments, theholding tank 200 can be a trailer as well, such as a trailer thatcontains a tank or any other type of container for holding fluidsthereon. However, in the exemplified embodiment the holding tank 200 isa frac tank. Each of the holding tank 200, the first trailer 300 and thesecond trailer 400 are mobile units that can be movable on their own orvia attachment to a truck having a motor. During use of the system 100,untreated wastewater is introduced into the holding tank 200 where theuntreated wastewater is stored prior to being introduced into the firstand second trailers 300, 400. Various treatments may occur within theholding tank 200 to begin the process of removing larger contaminants orto ensure that solid particles remain suspended within the fluidcontained within the holding tank 200 rather than accumulating on afloor of the holding tank 200. In certain embodiments, the untreatedwastewater is introduced into the holding tank 200 from a source ofuntreated wastewater. However, the invention is not to be so limited andin other embodiments the wastewater may undergo some form of treatmentprior to being stored in the holding tank 200.

The holding tank 200 is fluidly coupled to the first trailer 300 by aholding tank to first trailer conduit 230. Thus, wastewater can flowfrom the holding tank 200 to the first trailer 300 through the holdingtank to first trailer conduit 230 to receive the first treatment regimenin the first trailer 300. Furthermore, the first trailer 300 is fluidlycoupled to the second trailer 400 by a first trailer to second trailerconduit 517. Further still, a slop tank 370 and a settling tank 340 thatare positioned on the first trailer 300 are fluidly coupled to theholding tank 200 so that fluids and solids that are temporarily retainedin the slop tank 370 and the settling tank 340 can be carried back tothe holding tank 200 because the holding tank 200 has a larger holdingcapacity than the slop tank 370 and the settling tank 340. The detailsof these fluid connections between the various components of the system100 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7Aand 7B.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3B concurrently, the holding tank 200 will befurther described. In the exemplified embodiment the holding tank 200 isa 21,000 gallon frac tank. However, the invention is not to be solimited and the holding tank 200 can be any type of tank that is fluidtight and capable of holding fluids, such as wastewater, therein. Theholding tank 200 in the exemplified embodiment is forty-five feet longand nine feet six inches high. However, the invention is not to be solimited and the size of the holding tank 200 and its holding capacitycan be larger or smaller than that noted above. The holding tank 200comprises a pair of wheels 261 so that the holding tank 200 is mobileand can be moved by attaching the holding tank 200 to a trailer, truckor the like. The holding tank 200 has a first inlet port 207 thatintroduces wastewater into a bottom portion of the holding tank 200 anda second inlet port 208 that introduces wastewater into a top portion ofthe holding tank 200. In the exemplified embodiment the bottom portionof the holding tank 200 can be any portion of the holding tank that isbelow a mid-point of the holding tank 200 and the top portion of theholding tank 200 can be any portion of the holding tank 200 that isabove the mid-point of the holding tank 200, the mid-point being thecentral point between a roof 267 and a floor 266 of the holding tank200. Thus, wastewater can be introduced into the holding tank 200 at twodifferent elevations simultaneously or alternatingly as desired.

In the exemplified embodiment, a pump 506 is positioned on the holdingtank 200 for pumping the wastewater through the system 100. However, thepump 506 need not be positioned directly on the holding tank 200, butshould be fluidly coupled to one or more exit or outlet ports on theholding tank 200 (discussed in more detail below) for drawing wastewaterfrom the holding tank 200 for further processing and/or treatment. Incertain embodiments the pump 506 is the only pump required for flowingthe wastewater from the holding tank 200, through the first trailer 300,through the second trailer 400 and to discharge at flow rates of up to500 gallons per minute. However, in other embodiments additional pumpsmay be used to facilitate or enhance the flow of the wastewater throughthe system 100. The details of the pump 506 will be described in moredetail below.

The holding tank 200 in the exemplified embodiment has four sidewalls262, 263, 264, 265, the floor 266 and the roof 267. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the holding tank 200 is a fully enclosed housing. However,in other embodiments the roof 267 may be omitted and the holding tank200 may have an open top end. In the exemplified embodiment, a manhole268 is positioned on the sidewall 263 and another manhole 269 ispositioned on the sidewall 265. The manholes 268, 269 permit an operatoraccess to the inside of the holding tank 200 for any necessarymaintenance. A vent 270 is also illustrated formed into the roof 267 ofthe holding tank 200. However, the vent 280 may be omitted or positionedin any other location on the holding tank 200 as desired.

Furthermore, a first control panel 250 is coupled to the holding tank200. The first control panel 250 comprises a processor, centralprocessing unit or other computing mechanism to enable the first controlpanel 250 to obtain measurements and information from various componentsof the system 100 and to control the opening and closing of automaticvalves and the actuation of the various system pumps to ensure properoperation of the system including proper wastewater flow rates, propercontamination reduction levels, and the like. Thus, via the processor,the first control panel 250 is able to carry out instructions based onpre-programmed algorithms and based on information provided to thecontrol panel 250 from the system components to which the control panel250 is operably coupled. The various components with which the firstcontrol panel 250 is in operable communication will be discussed in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 3, 7A and 7B. Furthermore, thedetails of the first control panel 250 will be discussed in detail belowwith reference to FIG. 8A.

Furthermore, an aerator system 600 is attached to the holding tank 200.More specifically, the aerator system 600 comprises a blower 601 and oneor more conduits 602 coupled to the blower 601. In one embodiment, theblower 601 is mounted directly to the holding tank 200. In theexemplified embodiment, the blower 601 is directly mounted to the roof267 of the holding tank 200. Furthermore, in certain embodiments thedirect mounting between the blower 601 and the roof 267 of the holdingtank 200 is accomplished by welding the blower 601 directly to the roof267 of the holding tank 200 at weld points 299. However, the inventionis not to be so limited and the blower 601 can be mounted to locationson the holding tank 200 other than the roof 267, and the blower 601 canbe mounted to the holding tank 200 using techniques other than welding,such as adhesion, fasteners, screws, nails and the like. However, insome embodiments the blower 601 is permanently mounted to the holdingtank 200 such that the blower 601 forms an integral part of the holdingtank 200.

Turning now to FIG. 3 only, the internal components of the holding tank200 will be described along with the operation of the aerator system600. The holding tank 200 has a hollow inner cavity 280 that is used forcontaining a body of fluid, such as wastewater, having a surface level.In the exemplified embodiment, a body of fluid 281 (i.e., wastewater oruntreated wastewater) is illustrated positioned within the inner cavity280. The body of fluid 281 has a surface level 282, the level of whichcan change based on the flow of the wastewater into the holding tank 200through the ports 207, 208 and out of the holding tank 200 through afirst exit port 209 and a second exit port 210. Positioned within theinner cavity 280 is a high float 211 and a normal float 212. Each of thehigh float 211, the normal float 212 and the pump 506 are operablycoupled to the control panel 250. Thus, the control panel 250 cancontrol operation of the pump 506 and can control the flow of wastewaterinto and out of the holding tank 200 based on information obtained fromthe high float 211 and the normal float 212. For example, if the highfloat 211 is activated, the control panel 250 will obtain informationthat the level of the wastewater within the holding tank 200 is high andthat the flow of the wastewater into the holding tank 200 should bereduced while the wastewater continues to be drawn from the holding tank200. When the normal float 212 transmits information to the controlpanel 250 that the surface level of the wastewater is low, the controlpanel 250 may reduce the speed or turn off the pump 506 so that the flowof the wastewater being drawn from the holding tank 200 is slowed downin order to enable the surface level of the wastewater or body of fluid281 to be increased.

A first weir 285 is positioned within the inner cavity 280 of theholding tank 200 and divides the inner cavity 280 into a dischargechamber 286 and an aeration chamber 287. Furthermore, in certainembodiments a second weir 288 may also be positioned within the innercavity 280 of the holding tank 200 to divide the aeration chamber 287into a first aeration chamber 289 and a second aeration chamber 290.However, the second weir 288 is not used in all embodiments and may beomitted. Furthermore, in certain embodiments both the first and secondweirs 285, 288 can be omitted and the holding tank 200 can have an open,uninterrupted inner cavity 280. As used herein a weir is intended tomean a wall or other structure that prohibits free flow of the body offluid 281 between the various chambers while permitting some flow of thebody of fluid 281 between the various chambers.

In the exemplified embodiment, the floor of the second aeration chamber290 has multiple levels. However, in other embodiments the floor of thesecond aeration chamber 290 can be flat or the raised floor portion ofthe second aeration chamber 290 can be separated off from the secondaeration chamber 290. The exact locations of the first and second weirs285, 288 is not limiting of the present invention. It is merely desiredthat the inner cavity 280 can be divided into the discharge chamber 286and the aeration chamber 287, and that in some embodiments the aerationchamber 287 can be divided into the first aeration chamber 289 and thesecond aeration chamber 290, regardless of the relative sizes of thosechambers.

In the exemplified embodiment the first weir 285 is coupled to the floor266 of the holding tank 200, but a gap 291 exists between a top edge 292of the first weir 285 and the roof 267 of the holding tank 200. Thus,the body of fluid 281 can pass from the aeration chamber 287 into thedischarge chamber 286 through the gap 291, such that the dischargechamber 287 is an overflow chamber. In certain embodiments, the firstweir 285 may extend all the way to the roof 267 of the holding tank 200but may have openings formed therein in a top portion thereof to enablethe body of fluid 281 to flow through the openings and into thedischarge chamber 286. Thus, the aeration chamber 287, and morespecifically the first aeration chamber 289, is in fluid communicationwith the discharge chamber 286 because the wastewater is able to flowbetween those two chambers within the gap 291.

In the exemplified embodiment the second weir 288 is coupled to the roof267 of the holding tank 200, but a gap 293 exists between a bottom edge294 of the second weir 288 and the floor 266 of the holding tank 200.Thus, the body of fluid 281 can flow through the gap 293 to flow betweenthe first aeration chamber 289 and the second aeration chamber 290.Again, in certain embodiments the second weir 288 can extend all the wayto the floor 266 of the holding tank 200, but may include openings neara bottom thereof to enable fluid flow therethrough. Furthermore, incertain embodiments the first weir 285 may be coupled to the roof 267but not to the floor 266 and the second weir 288 may be coupled to thefloor 266 but not to the roof 267. In still other embodiments, each ofthe first and second weirs 285, 288 may be coupled to the floor 266 butnot the roof 267 or to the roof 267 but not the floor 266.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second weirs 285, 288create a tortuous flow path of the body of liquid 281 within the innercavity 280 from the second aeration chamber 290 to the discharge chamber286. Specifically, the wastewater is introduced into the holding tank200, and more specifically into the second aeration chamber 290, via oneof the inlet ports 207, 208. The wastewater can flow from the secondaeration chamber 290 into the first aeration chamber 289 through the gap293 in the bottom portion of the holding tank 200. The wastewater canflow from the first aeration chamber 289 to the discharge chamber 286through the gap 291 in the upper or top portion of the holding tank 200.Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the wastewater must take anunder-over flow path within the holding tank to flow from the inletports 207, 208 to the discharge chamber 286 for discharge through theexit ports 209, 210. However, an over-under flow path, an over-over flowpath, an under-under flow path or any other modification could also beused.

As noted above, the blower 601 of the aeration system 600 is mounted tothe roof 267 of the holding tank 200. Furthermore, one or more conduits602 are fluidly coupled to the blower 601 and extend from the blower 601to the inner cavity 280 through an opening (not illustrated) in the roof267 so that air can be introduced into the inner cavity 280. Morespecifically, the one or more conduits 602 comprises an air conduit 603and a manifold 604. The air conduit 603 extends from the blower 601 tothe manifold 604, and more specifically to a connector port 605 of themanifold 604. The manifold 604, the details of which are depicted inFIGS. 4A-C and will be described in more detail below, is positioned onthe floor of the aeration chamber 287 of the inner cavity 280 of theholding tank 200. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the manifold 604is positioned within the first aeration chamber 289 and the secondaeration chamber 290, but is not positioned within the discharge chamber286. As a result, when the blower is activated and turned on, air,oxygen or some form of gas is introduced into the first and secondaeration chambers 289, 290 from the floor of the aeration chambers 289,290 but is not also introduced into the discharge chamber 286. Thus, dueto the positioning on the floor of the aeration chamber 287, the airblows upwardly from the manifold 604 on the floor of the aerationchambers 289, 290 into the first and second aeration chambers 289, 290.This causes bubbles to form in the body of fluid 281 that is within thefirst and second aeration chambers 289, 290 while bubbles are not formedin the body of fluid 281 that is within the discharge chamber 286.

The blowing of air into the body of fluid 281 prevents solid materialsthat are suspended within the body of fluid 281 from accumulating orgathering on the floor of the holding tank 200. Because the body offluid 281 is withdrawn from the discharge chamber 286, air does not needto also be blown into the discharge chamber 286. In certain embodiments,the air is introduced up to 500 CFM (cubic feet per minute). Thus, theaeration system 600 causes the particles in the body of fluid orwastewater 281 to remain suspended therein rather than collecting on thebottom of the holding tank 200. The aeration system 600 further causesiron that is in the body of fluid or wastewater 281 to oxidize andprecipitate for removal by the treatment regimens that occur within thefirst and second trailers 300, 400. This enables the system 100 toremove the contaminants and solids from the body of fluid or wastewater281 rather than leaving those contaminants and solids within the holdingtank 200. In certain embodiments, the blower 601 of the aeration system600 can be altered between an off state whereby it is never running andan on state whereby it runs after a five second delay.

As noted above, the holding tank 200 comprises a first exit port 209 anda second exit port 210, each of which is operably coupled to the pump506 for drawing the body of fluid 281 from the holding tank 200 (i.e.,from the discharge chamber 286 of the holding tank 200) and introducingthe body of fluid 281 into the first trailer 300. The second exit port210 is located near a bottom of the holding tank 200 and when the propervalves are open and the pump 506 is activated, fluid or wastewater willbe drawn from the bottom of the holding tank 200 through the second exitport 210 (i.e., from a portion of the holding tank 200 below themid-point as discussed above).

A floating intake pipe 215 is operably coupled to the first exit port209 and extends from the first exit port 209 upwardly towards thesurface level 282 of the body of fluid 281. The floating intake pipe 215floats within the body of fluid 281. In the exemplified embodiment, thefloating intake pipe 215 has an inlet 216 that is positioned beneath thesurface level 282 of the body of fluid 281. In certain embodiments, theinlet 216 of the floating intake pipe 215 can be positioned at thesurface level 282 of the body of fluid 281, or one inch, two inches,three inches, four inches, five inches or more below the surface levelof the body of fluid 281. Regardless of the exact positioning of theinlet 216 of the floating intake pipe 215, the floating intake pipe 215permits the body of fluid or wastewater 281 to be drawn from a topportion thereof. Furthermore, regardless of the exact level of thewastewater within the holding tank 200, the floating intake pipe 215floats to at or beneath the surface so as to draw the wastewater from ator beneath the surface. Thus, using the holding tank 200, the wastewateror body of fluid 281 can be drawn from a top portion or surface of thebody of fluid 281 using the first exit port 209 and the floating intakepipe 215 or from the bottom portion of the body of fluid 281 using thesecond exit port 210, or from both the top and bottom portions of thebody of fluid 281 using the first and second exit ports 209, 210simultaneously.

In certain embodiments, a valve 218 that is alterable between an openposition and a closed position can be positioned between the second exitport 210 and the pump 506 and a valve 217 that is alterable between anopen position and a closed position can be positioned between the firstexit port 209 and the pump 506. The valves 217, 218 can be operablycoupled to the first control panel 250 so that opening and closing ofthe valves 217, 218 can be automated. The control panel 250 maydetermine which of the valves 217, 218 to open based on qualities of thebody of fluid or wastewater 281 including contamination levels, amountof suspended particles, amount of solid material collected on the floorof the holding tank 200, desired flow rate of the wastewater through thesystem as determined by discharge contamination levels or datatransmitted from the floats 211, 212 or the like. Furthermore, in otherembodiments the valves 217, 218 may not be coupled to the control panel250 and opening and closing of the valves 217, 218 may occur manually byan operator.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-C, the manifold 604 will be further described.As noted above, the manifold 604 rests on the floor of the holding tank200 for supplying air, gas or oxygen into the holding tank 200 to aeratethe body of fluid or wastewater contained in the holding tank 200. Inthe exemplified embodiment, the manifold 604 is a square or rectangularshaped structure having a first side 607, a second side 608, a thirdside 609 and a fourth side 610. Furthermore, the manifold 604 includes acenter leg 611 that extends between the second side 608 and the fourthside 610. Each of the first, second, third and fourth sides 607-610 andthe center leg 611 comprise a plurality of nozzles 606 therein. Thus,when the blower 601 is operably coupled to the manifold 604 as discussedabove and the blower 601 is turned on, air, gas or oxygen exits themanifold 604 through each of the nozzles 606. Although one embodiment ofthe manifold 604 is depicted in FIGS. 4A-C, the invention is not to belimited by the shape of the manifold 604. Thus, the manifold 604 may becircular, triangular, or any other shape desired. It is merely desiredthat the manifold 604 be positioned within the aeration chamber 287 ofthe inner cavity 280 and have a plurality of nozzles 606 for introducingair into the aeration chamber 287. In some embodiments, the manifold 604can be a solid plate-like structure having nozzle openings arranged in alinear or non-linear manner thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5A and 5B concurrently, the first trailer 300 willbe further described. The first trailer 300 may be referred to herein asa first wastewater treatment trailer or a first treatment trailer. Thefirst trailer 300 is used to provide a first treatment regimen to theuntreated wastewater to form a first treated wastewater. Thus, theuntreated wastewater is introduced into the first trailer 300 from theholding tank 200, the untreated wastewater undergoes a first treatmentregimen while within the first trailer 300 to form the first treatedwastewater, and the first treated wastewater flows from the firsttrailer 300 to the second trailer 400. The details of operation of thesystem 100 and the interoperability between the holding tank 200, thefirst trailer 300 and the second trailer 400 will be discussed in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first trailer 300 is a fifty-threefoot drop deck trailer. However, the invention is not to be so limitedand the length of the trailer may be greater than or less thanfifty-three feet in other embodiments as desired and/or needed to fitall of the components desired on the first trailer 300. Furthermore,although exemplified as a drop deck trailer that is completely open onthe sides and top, the first trailer 300 may in other instances be anenclosed trailer that houses the various components described below. Inthe exemplified embodiment, the first trailer 300 generally comprises asand filter system 310, at least one hydrocyclone 320, a clay tank 330,a settling tank 340, a second control panel 350, a clarifying agentinjection port 360 and various gauges, flow meters, manual and automatedvalves and conduits fluidly coupling the components located on the firsttrailer 300 together to facilitate operation of the system 100. Thedetails of the gauges, flow meters, valves and conduits will bedescribed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

In the exemplified embodiment there is also a slop tank 370 positionedexternal and adjacent to the first trailer 300. However, in otherembodiments the slop tank 370 may be positioned directly on the firsttrailer 300 along with the other components. Furthermore, in theexemplified embodiment the first trailer 300 also has a container forstoring chlorine (not illustrated), a flow control mechanism 381 forpumping the chlorine to desired locations as will be discussed in moredetail below, and a pump 341 for flowing fluids in both liquid and solidform from the settling tank 340 and/or from the slop tank 370 to desiredlocations.

As a result of all of the components that are on the first trailer 300,the first trailer 300 is able to provide a first treatment regimen tothe untreated wastewater. Although the wastewater that flows form theholding tank 200 to the first trailer 300 is referred to herein asuntreated wastewater, it should be appreciated that this includeswastewater that is pre-treated wastewater, such as in instances wherethe wastewater is treated prior to being introduced to the first trailer300 or prior to being introduced into the holding tank 200. The firsttreatment regimen that is provided to the wastewater within the firsttrailer 300 is achieved by flowing the wastewater through the sandfilter system 310 and through the clay tank 330, the benefits of each ofwhich will be discussed in more detail below. Additionally, the firsttrailer 300 also comprises all of the components needed to properlybackwash the sand filter system 310. As will be discussed in more detailbelow, the clarifying agent injection port 360, the hydrocyclones 320,the settling tank 340 and the slop tank 370 are used in the backwashprocedure in certain embodiments. Thus, the first trailer 300 can bothprovide a first treatment regimen to the wastewater and perform anentire backwash of the sand filter system 310 including temporarystorage of the backwashed water (in both solid and liquid forms) withoutthe need for any additional components, trailers or the like.

In the exemplified embodiment the sand filter system 310 comprises foursand filters 311-314. Of course, the invention is not to be so limitedand in other embodiments more or less than four sand filters can beused. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment each of the sandfilters 311-314 is a sand filter tank, the sand filter tank housing thenecessary materials to perform a cleaning function. The sand filtertanks 311-314 are approximately forty-eight inches in diameter and havean eighteen inch side shell. Each of the sand filter tanks 311-314contains approximately twenty-eight cubic feet of gravel over the underdrains and sixty-four feet of green sand media. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the sand filters 311-314 are the first stage of thefiltration process in the inventive water treatment system 100. Incertain embodiments, each of the sand filter tanks 311-314 comprises2,300 pounds of green sand for a total of 9,200 pounds in all fourpods/tanks and 400 pounds of ¾×½ gravel for a total of 1,600 pounds ofgravel in all four pods/tanks. The gravel and the green sand mediaremove suspended solids from the wastewater and adsorb soluble iron fromthe wastewater.

Over time, the sand filters 311-314 will require a backwash as thegravel and green sand media collect and adsorb suspended solids and ironduring use of the system 100. The second control panel 350 may include aprocessor for automating the backwash cycle, such as by being operablycoupled to a solenoid valve or the like. In certain embodiments the sandfilters 311-314 will be automatically backwashed when the pressure dropacross the sand filters 311-314 exceeds 15 psig, 10 psig or the like. Inother embodiments the sand filters 311-314 will be automaticallybackwashed at certain time intervals, such as one hour of operatingtime, thirty minutes of operating time, or the like. The second controlpanel 350 can be used to adjust the backwash time and pressure settings,via manual operator input, so that backwashing occurs at desired timeintervals or pressure drops. The processor/control panel 350 is operablycoupled to the sand filters 311-314 in order to properly initiate thebackwash at the appropriate times. In the inventive system, effluentwater from any three of the sand filter tanks (i.e., the water that haspassed through any three of the sand filter tanks) can be used tobackwash a fourth sand filter tank. The inventive backwash system willbe discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

In the exemplified embodiment, the at least one hydrocyclone 320comprises a first hydrocyclone 321, a second hydrocyclone 322 and athird hydrocyclone 323. Of course, the invention is not to be limited bythe number of hydrocyclones used and more or less than three can be usedin other embodiments. Although denoted herein as being hydrocyclones,the at least one hydrocyclone 320 can be any type of structure that isused to classify, separate or sort particles in a liquid suspension.Thus, the hydrocyclones 320 may in some embodiments be referred to asliquid-solid separators. Hydrocyclones achieve this classification,separation or sorting based on the ratio of their centripetal force tofluid resistance.

The hydrocyclones 321-323 are used in the backwash cycle to separate thebackwash water into solid material and liquid by using centrifugalforce. The hydrocyclones have an inlet port that is fluidly coupled tothe sand filters 311-314, a first outlet port that is fluidly coupled tothe settling tank 340 and a second outlet port that is fluidly coupledto the slop tank 370. The solid material moves downwardly within thehydrocyclones in a spiral path and is gravity fed through the secondoutlet port to the slop tank 370. The liquid of the backwash water isforced up through the hydrocyclones due to the centrifugal force andspirals out through the first outlet port at the top of thehydrocyclones 321-323 and is collected in the settling tank 340. All ofthe necessary conduits, piping and the like are provided forfacilitating the flow of the liquid and solid material of the backwashwater noted above. The details of this process will be described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

After the wastewater is treated by the sand filter system 310, thewastewater flows to and is treated by the clay tank 330. The clay tank330 is an eight foot diameter vessel which contains an organicallymodified clay therein that attracts and adsorbs (by storing on thesurface of the clay) oil, grease, hydrophobic non-polar compounds, otherlonger chain hydrocarbons and small amounts of heavy metals. In certainexemplified embodiments, the clay tank 330 comprises 14,000 pounds ofclay/zeolite (such as an organically modified clay). However, theinvention is not to be so limited and more or less than 14,000 pounds ofclay/zeolite can be used in other embodiments. The clay tank 330 israted for 75 psi and contains an influent pressure gauge, air removalsystem, sampling port and water distribution system. Most, if not all,of the contaminants listed above (and others not listed) that are notremoved by the sand filter system 310 will be adsorbed onto theclay/zeolite media. The following is the worst case scenario ofservicing the media (i.e., the clay in the clay tank 330) based on aflow rate of 500 GPM and an anticipated 7.311 mg/L of contaminantconcentrations:

Zeolite Usage Mg/l Contaminant 7.3110 7.3110 gallons/minute 500.00500.00 Mg/gram 200.00 100.00 (adsorbtion) Pounds Zeolite/minute 0.150.31 Zeolite/hour 9.15 18.30 Zeolite/day 219.62 439.25 Zeolite/month6588.75 13177.50

In the exemplified embodiment the settling tank 340 is a 1,600 gallonpolyethylene tank that is used to store, in certain cases temporarily,backwashed water. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited andthe settling tank 340 can be larger or smaller than 1,600 gallons andcan be formed of materials other than polyethylene such as stainlesssteel or the like. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment thesettling tank 340 is a cone bottom tank, but can be a flat or roundedbottom in other embodiments. As discussed above, the liquid effluentfrom the hydrocyclones 320 is stored in the settling tank 340 andremains there until it is pumped out and into the holding tank 200,which will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7Aand 7B, or until it is otherwise disposed of. In the exemplifiedembodiment the slop tank 370 is a 1,000 gallon polyethylene tank that isused to store the solid materials that are extracted from the backwashedwater. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and the sloptank 370 can be larger or smaller than 1,000 gallons in otherembodiments and can be formed of materials other than polyethylene suchas stainless steel or the like. The solid materials that are stored inthe slop tank 370 can be manually drained, pumped to the holding tank200, or pumped to another location for disposal as discussed in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6A and 6B, the second trailer 400 and thevarious components retained thereon will be described. The secondtrailer 400 may be referred to herein as a second wastewater treatmenttrailer or a second treatment trailer. The second trailer 400 is used toprovide a second treatment regimen to the first treated wastewater thatis introduced into the second trailer 400 from the first trailer 300.Thus, the first treated wastewater is introduced into the second trailer400 from the first trailer 300, and the first treated wastewaterundergoes a second treatment regimen while within the second trailer400. In some embodiments, the first treatment regimen can be considereda filtration regimen, a solids removal regimen, a contaminant removalregimen or the like and the second treatment regimen can be considered apolishing regimen. Upon receiving the second treatment regimen, thesecond treated wastewater is discharged from the second trailer 400 to adesired discharge location. The second treated wastewater will havecontamination levels that are within accepted discharge limitations.

In the exemplified embodiment, the second trailer 400 is a forty-eightfoot drop deck trailer. However, the invention is not to be so limitedand the length of the second trailer 400 may be greater than or lessthan forty-eight feet in other embodiments as desired or as needed tofit all of the desired components on the second trailer 400.Furthermore, although exemplified as a drop deck trailer that iscompletely open on the sides and top, the second trailer 400 may inother instances be an enclosed trailer that houses the variouscomponents described below. In the exemplified embodiment, the secondtrailer 400 generally comprises a bag filter system 410 comprising fivebag filters 411-415 (although more or less than five bag filters can beused in other embodiments), a carbon filter system 420 comprising afirst carbon tank 421 and a second carbon tank 422 and various gauges,flow meters, manual and automated valves and conduits fluidly couplingthe components located on the second trailer 400 together to facilitateoperation of the system 100. The details of the gauges, flow meters,valves and conduits will be described in more detail below withreference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

As the first treated wastewater is introduced into the second trailer400, the first treated wastewater first is introduced into the carbonfilter system 420. As will be discussed in more detail below, the valvescan be modified so that the wastewater is introduced into both of thefirst and second carbon tanks 421, 422 in series, or just one of thefirst and second carbon tanks 421, 422. In certain embodiments thewastewater may be introduced into both of the carbon tanks 421, 422during normal operation, but can be introduced into only one of thecarbon tanks 421, 422 while the carbon in one of the carbon tanks 421,422 is being replaced. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the firstand second carbon tanks 421, 422 is an eight foot diameter vesselcontaining activated carbon that attracts and adsorbs, on the surface ofthe carbon, organic molecules as well as certain inorganic molecules andmetals. In the exemplified embodiment, each carbon tank 421, 422contains approximately 10,000 pounds of granular activated carbon for atotal of 20,000 pounds. Of course, the invention is not to be so limitedand more or less than 10,000 pounds of granular activated carbon can beused in other embodiments. The carbon tanks 421, 422 are used to polishthe first treated wastewater. In certain embodiments, the carbon tanks421, 422 may include an interior potable water epoxy lining.

In certain exemplified embodiments, the contact time for the water to bein contact with the carbon is calculated as follows (it beingappreciated that the invention is not limited to the contact times belowin all embodiments):

Contact Time Carbon Pounds 20000.00 10000.00 Gallons/minute 500.00500.00 Contact Time 10.42 5.21

Based on an influent concentration of 1,875 ug/L for the remainingconstituents and a flow rate of 500 gallons/minute the following is theestimated carbon usage rate (it being appreciated that the invention isnot limited to the estimated carbon usage indicated below in allembodiments):

Carbon Usage Mg/l 1.8750 1.8750 gallons/minute 500.00 500.00 Mg/gram50.00 25.00 (adsorbtion) Pounds Carbon/minute 0.16 0.31 Carbon/hour 9.3918.78 Carbon/day 225.30 450.61 Carbon/month 6759.08 13518.16

After being polished by the carbon tanks 421, 422, the wastewater isintroduced into the bag filter system 410. As discussed above, in theexemplified embodiment the bag filter system 410 comprises five bagfilters 411-415. Each of the bag filters 411-415 may also be considereda bag filter tank, vessel or housing. The inventive system 100 uses onetrain of five bag filter tanks 411-415 in series, and the wastewater canflow through each of the bag filter tanks 411-415 or one of the five bagfilter tanks 411-415 during operation. In the exemplified embodiment,each of the bag filter tanks 411-415 is thirty inches in length andeight inches in diameter. Of course, the invention is not to be solimited and lengths and diameters and other dimensions of the bag filtertanks 411-415 can be other than that noted above. The bag filter tanks411-415 feature quick opening covers, a large area cartridge and abasket for greater product holding capacity. In certain embodiments, thebag filter tanks 411-415 are constructed of carbon steel with a Buna Nstandard cover gasket and a one micron bag filter is used to collect anymedia solids prior to discharge of the wastewater. The use of a onemicron bag filter will collect and/or trap any solids or contaminantsthat were not previously removed using the sand filter, clay filter orcarbon filter. Each bag filter tank 411-415 may have a pressure gaugebefore and after to monitor pressure across the bag filters. Each bagfilter tank 411-415 further includes plumbing to allow isolation of thebag for servicing purposes while the remaining bag filter tanks continueoperation.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B concurrently, the system will be describedin more detail along with the method of operation of the inventivesystem. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates the schematic of the system onseparate pages so that the operation is more clearly visible. The nodesA-A, B-B and C-C are connected to make a single schematic out of theseparate pages.

In certain embodiments, wastewater is introduced into the holding tank200 from a well or other source of wastewater, such as a source ofwastewater at a construction site. However, as discussed above theinvention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments thewastewater can be introduced into the holding tank 200 from othersources. In certain embodiments, one or more pumps can be installed orpositioned within a source of wastewater for pumping the wastewater fromthe source and into the holding tank 200. In either case, the wastewaterthat requires treatment is introduced into the holding tank 200 fromanother location. The wastewater that is introduced into the holdingtank is referred to herein as “wastewater” and “untreated wastewater.”Although described herein as being untreated, in certain instances thewastewater may be treated prior to being introduced into the holdingtank. Thus, the term untreated wastewater merely means that thewastewater has not been treated by the inventive system. Furthermore,although the invention is described herein where untreated wastewaterflows from the holding tank 200 to the first treatment trailer 300, incertain embodiments the wastewater does receive some treatment in theholding tank 200, such as the aeration discussed above. Thus, theuntreated wastewater may be wastewater that has been treated by aerationin the holding tank 200.

As the wastewater approaches the holding tank 200, the wastewater flowsthrough an inlet conduit that becomes divided into a first inlet conduit501 and a second inlet conduit 502. Prior to the division of the inletconduit, the wastewater passes through a sample port 505. The sampleport 505 is a location along the inlet conduit at which an amount of thewastewater can be drained for testing. The specific location of thesample port 505 is not limiting of the present invention and it can belocated along the first or second inlet conduits 501, 502 or at anyother location prior to the wastewater being introduced into the holdingtank 200. The sample port 505 can be opened to allow a portion of thewastewater to be collected for either on-site or third party testing todetermine the types and concentrations of the contaminants that are inthe wastewater. Testing the wastewater before the wastewater enters intothe holding tank 200 can enable the operator to make any adjustments tothe system 100 that may be necessary in order to deal with thecontaminants and the concentrations thereof that are found in thewastewater to ensure that upon discharge the treated water meetsdischarge limitations.

After passing by the sample port 505, the wastewater can flow throughone or both of the first inlet conduit 501 and the second inlet conduit502. Screens can be placed along these conduit lines in order tominimize the amount of solid material that is being introduced into theholding tank 200 of the system 100 so that the various filters describedherein can last longer, thereby reducing materials costs. A valve 503 ispositioned along the first inlet conduit 501 to control the flow of thewastewater through the first inlet conduit 501 and a valve 504 ispositioned along the second inlet conduit 502 to control the flow of thewastewater through the second inlet conduit 502. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the valve 504 is a manual valve and the valve 503 is anautomatic valve that is operably coupled to the first control panel 250.Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the opening and closing of the valve503 is done automatically by the control panel 250 in order to monitorand control the influx of the wastewater into the holding tank 200. Theopening and closing of the valve 503 can be based on informationobtained from the floats 211, 213. It should be appreciated that inother embodiments the valves 503, 504 can both be automatic, both bemanual, or any variation thereof.

In the exemplified embodiment, the processor in the first control panel250 will control the opening and closing of the valve 503 in order toprevent overflow of the holding tank 200 and to achieve a desired flowrate of the wastewater into the holding tank 200. The first inletconduit 501 is fluidly coupled to a first inlet port 207 formed into theholding tank 200 and the second inlet conduit 502 is fluidly coupled toa second inlet port 208 formed into the holding tank 200. The firstinlet port 207 is positioned at a first elevation on the holding tank200 and the second inlet port 208 is positioned at a second elevation onthe holding tank 200, the second elevation being greater than the firstelevation. Thus, wastewater introduced through the second inlet port 208is introduced near a top portion of the holding tank 200 whereaswastewater introduced through the first inlet port 207 is introduced ator near a bottom portion of the holding tank 200.

As discussed above, the aerator system 600 is coupled to the holdingtank 200 in order to inject or otherwise introduce air, oxygen, gas orthe like into the wastewater contained in the holding tank 200. Theholding tank 200 may include the first and second weirs 285, 288 toseparate the inner cavity 280 of the holding tank 200 into chambers 286,289, 290 as discussed above. Thus, in certain embodiments the air,oxygen, gas or the like is only introduced into the aeration chambers289, 290 but not also into the discharge chamber 286. The air, oxygen,gas or the like is introduced into the holding tank 200 through themanifold 604 that is coupled to the blower 601 by the air conduit 603.The air, oxygen or gas is blown upwardly from the bottom or floor of theholding tank 200 into the wastewater contained therein.

Furthermore, as discussed above the wastewater can be drawn from theholding tank 200 through either the first exit port 209 or the secondexit port 210. A floating intake pipe 215 is coupled to the first exitport 209 for drawing the wastewater from a top portion of the wastewaterand the second exit port 209 draws the wastewater form a bottom portionthereof.

The pump 506 is operably coupled to the exit ports 209, 210 of theholding tank 200 to draw or pump the wastewater from the holding tank200 for further treatment and processing in order to reduce and/orremove contaminants from the wastewater. In the exemplified embodiment,the pump 506 is a forty horsepower pump, such as the Aurora 344A-BF,3×4×pA and the pump is capable of drawing wastewater from the holdingtank 200 to the first trailer 300, to the second trailer 400 and todischarge at flow rates of up to 500 gallons per minute. However, theinvention is not to be limited by the exact type of pump, the exacthorsepower of the pump or the exact flow rate of the wastewater throughthe system and various modifications can be used to achieve differentflow characteristics.

The pump 506 is operably coupled to the first control panel 250, whichmonitors and controls the operation of the pump 506. The pump 506 mayoperate in three different modes including hand mode, in which the pump506 is continuously operating, off mode in which the pump is neveroperating, and auto mode in which the pump 506 operates in accordancewith the floats 211, 212. Specifically, the float 211 is a high levelmonitor and the float 212 is a normal liquid level float. Each of thefloats 211, 212 are also operably coupled to the first control panel 250so that the processor of the first control panel 250 can monitor thelevel of the wastewater within the holding tank 200 to control operationof the pump 506 when the pump 506 is set to auto mode. When the float212 indicates that the level of the wastewater within the holding tank200 is lower than a desired threshold, the first control panel 250 mayslow down or stop the pump 506 operation in order to enable the level ofthe wastewater within the holding tank 200 to increase. At the sametime, or alternatively, the first control panel 250 may open the valve503 to enable the wastewater to flow into the holding tank 200 morequickly. When the float 211 indicates that the level of the liquidwithin the holding tank 200 is high, the first control panel 250 willensure that the pump 506 is operating and may close the valve 503 toslow down the introduction of the wastewater into the holding tank 200.As will be discussed in more detail below, the control panel 250 alsohas an emergency shut-down button to enable an operator to shut down thesystem if needed or desired.

Furthermore, in certain instances the pump 506 may be operating at fullspeed and it may be determined that a component downstream of the pump506 is getting clogged up or otherwise needs the flow of the wastewaterthrough the system to be slowed down. Thus, the system is equipped witha recirculation conduit 507. When the valves connected to therecirculation conduit 507 are open, the wastewater (or a portionthereof) that is drawn from the holding tank 200 will be reintroducedinto the holding tank 200 through an inlet port 508 in order to slowdown wastewater fluid flow through the system.

After passing through the pump 506, the wastewater passes throughanother sample port 514 and a pressure indicator 515. The pressureindicator 515 can be a gauge that calculates a pressure measurement andprovides a visual indication of system performance to an operator.Various pressure indicators and sensors can be positioned at differentlocations within the system 100 in order to provide an operator with thepressure of the wastewater at those locations. The sample port 514 isanother location at which a sample of the wastewater can be taken sothat it can be either tested on site or sent to a laboratory todetermine the contamination levels of the wastewater at that location inthe system.

Furthermore, after passing through the pump 506, the wastewatercontinues to flow to the sand filter system 310. As noted above, thesand filter system 310 is located in or on the first trailer 300 andcomprises four sand filters 311-314. Thus, the wastewater is pumped fromthe holding tank 200 directly to the first trailer 300 where thewastewater receives a first treatment regimen from the sand filtersystem 310 and the clay tank 330. When the wastewater reaches the sandfilter system 310, the wastewater can either be introduced into one ormore of the sand filters 311-314 or the wastewater can bypass the sandfilters 311, 314 by flowing through a sand filter bypass conduit 315.Generally, however, during operation of the present system, thewastewater will flow through one or more of the sand filters 311-314 inorder to remove solids suspended in the wastewater and to adsorb ironfrom the untreated wastewater.

Thus, under normal operation of the system, the pump 506 draws theuntreated wastewater from the holding tank 200 and introduces thewastewater into at least one of the sand filters 311-314. The wastewaterflows into at least one of the sand filters 311-314 as untreatedwastewater and flows out of the at least one sand filters 311-314through a sand filter effluent conduit 509 as sand filtered wastewater.As the sand filtered wastewater flows through the sand filter effluentconduit 509, the sand filtered wastewater can either flow through a claytank bypass conduit 510 or through a clay tank inlet conduit 511. Theopening and closing of a valve 513 on the clay tank bypass conduit 510and a valve 512 on the clay tank inlet conduit 511 determines whetherthe sand filtered wastewater will flow through the clay tank bypassconduit 510 or through the clay tank inlet conduit 511.

In general operation, the sand filtered wastewater will flow through theclay tank inlet conduit 511 and into and through the clay tank 330whereby inorganic contaminants can be removed from the sand filteredwastewater and oil, grease and other longer chain hydrocarbons can beadsorbed. After flowing through the clay tank 330 and being treated bythe clay tank 330, the wastewater becomes the first treated wastewaterin that it has undergone the entire first treatment regimen, whichincludes treatment by the sand filter system 330 and treatment by theclay tank 330. This first treated wastewater will flow from the claytank 330 through a clay tank effluent conduit 516, at which time thefirst treated wastewater will also flow from the first trailer 300 tothe second trailer 400. Thus, from the clay tank effluent conduit 516,the first treated wastewater will flow through the first trailer tosecond trailer conduit 517 which fluidly couples the first trailer 300to the second trailer 400 and also fluidly couples the clay tank 330 tothe carbon filter system 420.

As the first treated wastewater flows through the first trailer tosecond trailer conduit 517, the first treated wastewater continues untilit reaches a carbon filter system manifold 518. The carbon filter systemmanifold 518 comprises many different conduits and valves thatfacilitate the single or dual operation of the carbon filter tanks 421,422 of the carbon filter system 420. Specifically, the first treatedwastewater can be made to flow through one of the carbon filter tanks421, 422 only before continuing to flow to the bag filter system 410, orthe first treated wastewater can be made to flow through both of thecarbon filter tanks 421, 422 in series before continuing to flow to thebag filter system 410, or the first treated wastewater can altogetherbypass the carbon filter tanks 421, 422.

The carbon filter system manifold 518 comprises twelve different valves(illustrated but not labeled) that can be manually or automaticallyopened and closed in order to control the flow of the first treatedwastewater. The first treated wastewater can flow through the carbontank 421 and then out through a carbon tank effluent conduit 521 to takethe first treated wastewater to the bag filter system 410.Alternatively, the first treated wastewater can flow through the carbontank 421, and then through the carbon tank 422, and then through thecarbon tank effluent conduit 521 to take the first treated wastewater tothe bag filter system 410. Alternatively, the first treated wastewatercan flow through the carbon tank 422 and then out through the carbontank effluent conduit 521 to take the first treated wastewater to thebag filter system 410. And further still, the first treated wastewatercan flow through the carbon tank 422, and then through the carbon tank421, and then through the carbon tank effluent conduit 521 to take thefirst treated wastewater to the bag filter system 410.

The determination regarding whether the first treated wastewater shouldflow through one or both of the carbon tanks 421, 422 can be mademanually by an operator or automatically by the system based on thecontamination levels of the first treated wastewater as detected at asample port 520 on the clay tank effluent conduit 516. The sample port520 (or other type of contamination monitor) is located at some positionafter the first treated wastewater leaves the clay tank 330 and beforethe first treated wastewater is introduced into the first carbon tank421. In the exemplified embodiment, this sample port 520 is located atthe outlet or exit port of the clay tank 330, but the invention is notto be so limited and the sample port 520 can be positioned at anylocation along the clay tank effluent conduit 516 or along the firsttrailer to second trailer conduit 517.

In certain embodiments, the direction of flow of the first treatedwastewater through the carbon filter system 420 (i.e., from carbon tank421 to carbon tank 422 or from carbon tank 422 to carbon tank 421) canbe changed when the first carbon tank through which the first treatedwastewater reaches a predetermined degree of contamination.Specifically, if the carbon tank 421 is the first or lead carbon tankand the carbon tank 422 is the second or lag carbon tank in thedirection of flow based on the opening and closing of the variousvalves, the wastewater can flow through the first carbon tank 421 andthen through the second carbon tank 422 for a period of time. There is asample port 519 or some other type of contamination monitor operablypositioned at the exit port of the first carbon tank 421 so that thecontamination levels of the wastewater after being passed through thefirst carbon tank 421 can be tested.

When a ratio of the contamination level of the first treated wastewatertaken at the sample port 520 to the contamination level of the firsttreated wastewater taken at the sample port 519 is 5:1 or less (i.e.,the contamination level of the water leaving the first carbon tank 421has 20% or more of the contamination level of the water entering thefirst carbon tank 421), it may be determined that the first carbon tank421 is spent. At such time, while carbon replacement is being organized,the valves of the carbon system filter manifold 518 can be adjusted sothat the first treated wastewater flows first through the second carbontank 422 and then through the first carbon tank 421, or only flowsthrough the second carbon tank 422, such as when the carbon in the firstcarbon tank 421 is being replaced. Thus, utilizing the inventive systemoperation can continue even while the carbon is being replaced in one ofthe carbon tanks 421, 422 due to the redundancy of the carbon tanks 421,422. The carbon filter system manifold 518 allows backwashing of thecarbon tanks 421, 422 and swapping of lead and lag carbon tanks 421, 422without the need to remove or swap any hoses or conduits.

After the first treated wastewater passes through the carbon filtersystem 420 and out into the carbon tank effluent conduit 521, the firsttreated wastewater is introduced into the bag filter system 410. The bagfilters or bag filter tanks 411-415 of the bag filter system 410 arearranged in series so that the first treated wastewater can flow throughone, two, three, four or all five of the bag filters 411-415 of the bagfilter system 410. After the first treated wastewater flows through thebag filter system 410, the first treated wastewater becomes secondtreated wastewater and the second treated wastewater flows along andthrough a discharge conduit 522.

A flow meter 523 is positioned along the discharge conduit 522 in orderto monitor the flow rate of the second treated wastewater. Furthermore,an additional pump 524 is positioned along the discharge conduit 522.The additional pump 524 can be a 15 horsepower pump that has an optionaluse to boost the flow rate of the second treated wastewater as it flowsalong and through the discharge conduit 522. Of course, the additionalpump 524 can have a horsepower that is above or below 15 in otherembodiments. For example, in certain embodiments the discharge conduit522 may be excessively long, such as five thousand feet long, in orderto carry the second treated wastewater to a desired location. In suchembodiments the pump 506 may not be powerful enough to carry the secondtreated wastewater all the way to the discharge location, in which casethe additional pump 524 may provide the additional power needed. Theadditional pump 524 is operably coupled to the second control system350, which monitors flow rates of the wastewater throughout the systemand determines whether the use of the additional pump 524 is desired orrequired.

Furthermore, a final sample port 525 is located along the dischargeconduit 522 to perform a final test of the second treated wastewater toensure that the second treated wastewater is meeting dischargelimitations. Specifically, it must be ensured that the contaminationlevels of the contaminants in the second treated wastewater are at orbelow legal or desired discharge limitations, which may change dependingon the location to which the second treated wastewater is beingdischarged to. Finally, after passing through the sample port 525, thesecond treated wastewater continues to flow through the dischargeconduit 522 all the way to the desired discharge location. The secondtreated wastewater will have contamination levels that are at or belowaccepted or required discharge limitations, which can be dependent uponthe discharge location.

Still referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B concurrently, backwashing of one ormore of the sand filters 311-314 will be described. The entirebackwashing process takes place on the first trailer 300 because thefirst trailer 300 has all of the components that are used during thebackwashing process positioned thereon (or adjacent thereto), includingthe sand filters 311-314, the hydrocyclones 321-323, the settling tank330 and the slop tank 370 (which may be positioned on the first trailer300 is adjacent to the first trailer 300).

As discussed above, in certain embodiments backwashing of the one ormore sand filters 311-314 occurs automatically based on a preset timinginterval or a predetermined pressure differential across the sandfilters 311-314. When the preset timing interval or predeterminedpressure differential across the sand filters 311-314 is reached, thesystem will automatically begin a backwash cycle. One or more of thesand filters 311-314 can be backwashed at the same time, but all of thesand filters 311-314 cannot be backwashed at the same time. This isbecause the water that is used to backwash the sand filters 311-314 isthe water that is passing through the other sand filters 311-314 thatare not being backwashed.

Specifically, in the present invention there is a first sand filter 311,a second sand filter 312, a third sand filter 313 and a fourth sandfilter 314. The water that enters into each of the first, second, thirdand fourth sand filters 311-314 is the untreated wastewater that isbeing drawn from the holding tank 200. After the untreated wastewaterpasses through the sand filters 311-314, the untreated wastewaterbecomes sand filter treated wastewater. Thus, for example, if only thefirst sand filter 311 is being backwashed, the sand filter treatedwastewater that is exiting one or more of the second, third and fourthsand filters 312, 313, 314 along the sand filter effluent conduit 509 isused in this backwashing procedure. The untreated wastewater flowsthrough the sand filters 311-314 in a first direction during normalprocessing, and the sand filter treated wastewater flows through thesand filters 311-314 in a second direction during backwashing, thesecond direction being opposite the first direction.

The flow control mechanism 381 is operably coupled to the second controlpanel 350 and to a container 382. In the exemplified embodiment, thecontainer 382 is a five gallon bucket, but the invention is not to be solimited and the container 382 can be larger or smaller than five gallonsin other embodiments. The container 382 stores chlorine therein which isintroduced into the sand filters 311-314 during backwashing. In theexemplified embodiment, the flow control mechanism 381 is a pump, andmore specifically a four gallon per hour electronic metering pump thattransfers chlorine into the sand filters 311-314 while they are in thebackwash cycle. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and theflow control mechanism 381 can be a pump having a faster or sloweroperation than that described above. Furthermore, the invention is notlimited to the flow control mechanism 381 being a pump in allembodiments, and in certain other embodiments the flow control mechanism381 can be a valve that is alterable between an open state and a closedstate. In such an embodiment, the container 382 can be pressurized sothat upon the valve being actuated into the open state, chlorine willflow into the sand filters 311-314 at a desired flow rate.

The flow control mechanism 381 can be operated in a hand (or always on)mode, an off (or never on) mode, and an auto mode. In the auto mode, theflow control mechanism operates (i.e., the pump activates and pumpschlorine from the container 382 into the sand filters 311-314 that arebeing backwashed or the valve opens to flow chlorine from the container382 into the sand filters 311-314 or the like) immediately andautomatically upon detecting such backwash. In certain embodiments,backwash can be detected when a backwash solenoid is energized into an“on” mode. Thus, when the flow control mechanism 381 is in the automode, upon the solenoid being energized and one or more of the sandfilters 311-314 being backwashed, the second control panel 350 willautomatically begin injecting or introducing chlorine into the sandfilter(s) 311-314 that are being backwashed via operable communicationwith the flow control mechanism 381.

Specifically, when the flow control mechanism 381 is in the auto mode,upon the initiation of backwashing of one or more of the sand filters311-314 (which may be manually initiated or automatically initiated asdiscussed above), the second control panel 350 (or the processor of thesecond control panel 350) will transmit a signal to the flow controlmechanism 381 to activate (i.e., pump chlorine from the container 382 oropen a valve to enable chlorine to flow from the container 382). Thus,the chlorine is injected or introduced into the sand filters 311-314that are being backwashed automatically. Furthermore, the chlorinecontinues to be injected or introduced into the sand filters 311-314that are being backwashed during the entire period of time that suchsand filters 311-314 are being backwashed. In other words, chlorineinjection occurs simultaneously and contemporaneously with the backwashcycle.

The container 382 is fluidly coupled to a chlorine supply manifold 383,and a first chlorine injection conduit 384, a second chlorine injectionconduit 385, a third chlorine injection conduit 386 and a fourthchlorine injection conduit 387 extend from the chlorine supply manifold383 in a fluidly coupled manner. The first chlorine injection conduit384 extends from the chlorine supply manifold 383 to the first sandfilter 311 for injecting chlorine into the first sand filter 311 whenthe first sand filter 311 is being backwashed, the second chlorineinjection conduit 385 extends from the chlorine supply manifold 383 tothe second sand filter 312 for injecting chlorine into the second sandfilter 312 when the second sand filter 312 is being backwashed, thethird chlorine injection conduit 386 extends form the chlorine supplymanifold 383 to the third sand filter 313 for injecting chlorine intothe third sand filter 313 when the third sand filter 313 is beingbackwashed, and the fourth chlorine injection conduit 387 extends fromthe chlorine supply manifold 383 to the fourth sand filter 314 forinjecting chlorine into the fourth sand filter 314 when the fourth sandfilter 314 is being backwashed.

Furthermore, a valve 388 is positioned along the first chlorineinjection conduit 384, a valve 389 is positioned along the secondchlorine injection conduit 385, a valve 390 is positioned along thethird chlorine injection conduit 386 and a valve 391 is positioned alongthe fourth chlorine injection conduit 387. Each of the valves 388-391 isactuatable between a closed position whereby chlorine cannot passthrough the respective conduit to which it is attached and into itsrespective sand filter and an open position whereby chlorine can passthrough the respective conduit to which it is attached and into itsrespective sand filter. Thus, if only the first sand filter 311 is beingbackwashed, the flow control mechanism 381 will be activated to pumpchlorine from the container 382 into the chlorine supply manifold 383.Furthermore, the valve 388 will be open and the valves 389-391 will beclosed so that chlorine can flow into the first chlorine injectionconduit 384 but is prevented from entering into any of the second, thirdor fourth chlorine injection conduits 385-387. The opening of the valves388-391 can be achieved automatically via operable coupling to thesecond control panel 350 or manually by an operator.

When the first sand filter 311 is being backwashed, the sand filteredwastewater from one or more of the second, third and fourth sand filters312-314 will mix with the chlorine that is being injected from thecontainer 382 before the chlorine and the sand filtered water enter intothe first sand filter 311. This mixture of the sand filtered wastewaterand the chlorine forms a chlorinated wastewater. The chlorinatedwastewater is then introduced into the first sand filter 311 forbackwashing of the first sand filter. This same process can be used tobackwash any one of the second, third or fourth sand filters 311.Injecting or introducing chlorine into the sand filters 311-314 duringthe backwash reactivates the green sand. Thus, the backwashing processremoves dissolved iron from the sand filters 311-314 and reactivates thegreen sand media in the sand filters 311-314.

During the backwash cycle, the chlorinated wastewater is introduced intothe sand filter(s) 311-314 that are being backwashed in the seconddirection as discussed above, which is opposite the direction of flow ofwastewater through the sand filters 311-314 during normal operation. Thechlorinated wastewater is introduced into the sand filters 311-314 andbackwashed water exits the sand filters 311-314. The backwashed waterenters into a backwash conduit 392 and flows through the backwashconduit 392 in the direction of the arrows towards node C-C. As notedabove, the clarifying agent injection port 360 is positioned along thebackwash conduit 392 for injecting a clarifying agent into thebackwashed water. The clarifying agent is any type of flocculent orpolymer that causes solids that are in the backwashed water toflocculate or accumulate together into a mass. An example of aclarifying agent that can be used is chitosan or any other polymer thatis designed to flocculate solids that are suspended within a fluid. Incertain embodiments, the clarifying agent injection port 360 can beomitted, or it may be present and unused.

After passing through the clarifying agent injection port 360, thebackwash water continues to flow through the backwash conduit 392towards the hydrocyclones 321-323. Each of the hydrocyclones has aninlet port 324 that is fluidly coupled to the backwash conduit 392 forreceiving the backwash wastewater. Furthermore, a valve (illustrated butnot labeled) is positioned on the backwash conduit 392 between theclarifying agent injection port 360 and the inlet port 324 of thehydrocyclones 321-323 to control which of the hydrocyclones 321-323 thebackwash wastewater is to flow into. Thus, all of the valves can beopened so that the backwash water can flow into all of the hydrocyclones321-323 or one or more of the valves can be closed to prevent backwashwater from flowing into the respective hydrocyclone 321-323. Asdiscussed above, each of the hydrocyclones 321-323 is configured toseparate the backwash water into a solid material and a liquid.Specifically, by centrifugal forces, the hydrocyclones 321-323 force theliquid of the backwash water to flow upwardly and out through a firstexit port 325 of the hydrocyclones 321-323 and force the solid materialof the backwash water to flow downwardly and out through a second exitport 326 of the hydrocyclones 321-323.

A slop tank conduit 327 is fluidly coupled to the second exit port 326of the hydrocyclones 321-323 and a settling tank conduit 328 is fluidlycoupled to the first exit port 325 of the hydrocyclones 321-323. Thesolid material flows out through the second exit port 326 of thehydrocyclones 321-323, flows through the slop tank conduit 327, andflows into the slop tank 370 for temporary storage thereof. The liquidof the backwash water flows out through the first exit port 325 of thehydrocyclones 321-323, flows through the settling tank conduit 328, andflows into the settling tank 340.

The solid material can remain in the slop tank 370 and can be pumped outfor disposal at a landfill or other desired location. Alternatively, thesolid material in the slop tank 370 can be pumped back into the holdingtank 200. Specifically, a pump 530 is fluidly coupled to the slop tank370 by a slop removal conduit 531. The pump 530 can be a five horsepowerpump, such as an Aurora 344A-BF, 1.5×2×9A pump. However, the inventionis not to be limited by the model or horsepower of the pump 530 and anyother desired pump can be used. A valve 532 is positioned on the slopremoval conduit 531 to facilitate or prevent flow of the solid materialfrom the slop tank 370 to the holding tank 200 when the pump 530 isactivated.

The pump 530 is also operably coupled to the settling tank 540 by asettling liquid removal conduit 533. In the exemplified embodiment, thesettling liquid removal conduit 533 has a first sub-conduit 534 that isoperably coupled to a bottom of the settling tank 540, and a secondsub-conduit 535 that is operably coupled to the settling tank 540 in amiddle or top portion of the settling tank 540. A valve 536 ispositioned along the first sub-conduit 534 and one or more valves 537are positioned along the second sub-conduit 535.

Thus, when the pump 530 is activated, if the valve 532 is open, thesolid material will flow from the slop tank 370 to the holding tank 200.Furthermore, when the pump 530 is activated, if the valve 536 is open,the liquid will flow from a bottom of the settling tank 340 to theholding tank 200. Finally, when the pump 530 is activated, if the valve537 is open, the liquid will flow from a middle or top portion of thesettling tank 340 to the holding tank 200. Furthermore, the pump 530 isalso operably coupled to a slop tank recirculation conduit 538 and avalve 539 is positioned along the slop tank recirculation conduit 538downstream of the pump 530. Thus, for example, when the liquid is in thesettling tank 540, some solids may remain suspended in the liquid andmay collect at the bottom of the settling tank 540 due to gravity. Thus,it may be desirable to operate the pump 530 with the valves 532 and 537and a valve 540 located between the pump 530 and the holding tank 200closed while the valves 536 and 539 are open so that solid material thathas settled to the bottom of the settling tank 340 can flow from thesettling tank 340 to the slop tank 370.

When the liquid from the settling tank 340 is pumped to the holding tank200, the liquid mixes with wastewater that is introduced into theholding tank 200 as discussed above. The mixture of the liquid and thewastewater is drawn from the holding tank 200 as has been discussed indetail below and passes from the holding tank 200 to the first trailer300, to the second trailer 400, and to discharge. Thus, the liquid ofthe backwash water can go back through the treatment regimens providedby the inventive system and can be discharged to a desired dischargelocation. By facilitating flow of the liquid and the solid material fromthe settling tank 340 and the slop tank 370 back to the holding tank200, the inventive system is a completely closed loop system between thevarious trailers, and particularly between the first trailer 300 and theholding tank 200 with regard to the backwash cycle.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the details of the first control panel 250 will bedescribed. The first control panel 250 has various buttons, levers,switches or the like that enable a system operator to provideinstructions to the system through the first control panel 250 tocontrol operation of the system. The first control panel 250 has a TP1switch 251 that enables an operator to switch operation of the pump 506between hand mode, off mode and auto mode. The first control panel 250has a blower switch 252 that enables an operator to switch operation ofthe blower 601 between an on mode and an off mode. Although the switches251, 252 are illustrated as dials or toggle switches, the invention isnot to be so limited and the switches 251, 252 can be activated oraltered in any manner.

The first control panel 250 also has various lights that illuminate asnecessary to warn the operator of certain fault conditions and to aid introubleshooting. Specifically, the first light 253 indicates the statusof the pump 506. When the first light 253 is illuminated in green (orany other color), it indicates that the pump 506 is operating. Thesecond light 254 indicates the status of the blower 601. When the secondlight 254 is illuminated in green (or any other color), it indicatesthat the blower 601 is operating. The third light 255 is associated withthe high float and is an alarm or warning light. When the third light255 is illuminated in red (or any other color), it indicates that theliquid level in the holding tank 200 is high. The system will respond tothis illumination by closing the valve 503 to reduce the influx ofwastewater into the holding tank 200 and/or by increasing the speed ofthe pump 506 if possible. The first control panel 250 also includes areset button 256. Pushing the reset button 256 resets any system faultand allows a system restart. The first control panel 250 furtherincludes an emergency stop button 257. Pushing the emergency stop button257 causes the entire system to shut down and halt operations. Finally,the first control panel 250 has an audible switch 258 that can bealtered between an off and an auto state.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, the details of the second control panel 350will be described. The second control panel 350 has a CP switch 351 thatis alterable between a hand, off and auto position. The CP switch 351controls operation of the flow control mechanism 381. The second controlpanel 350 also has a TP2 switch 352 and a TP3 switch 353, each of whichis alterable between an off mode and an on mode. The TP2 switch 352controls operation of the pump 530 and the TP3 switch controls operationof the pump 524.

The second control panel 350 also has various lights. The first light354 illuminates in green (or any other color) when the flow controlmechanism 381 is operating. The second light 355 illuminates in green(or any other color) when the pump 530 is operating. The third light 356illuminates in green (or any other color) when the pump 524 isoperating. The second control panel 350 also has an emergency stopbutton 357. Pushing the emergency stop button 357 causes the entiresystem to shut down and halt operations.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are electrical schematics of the relay logic controls ofthe first and second control panels.

In certain embodiments, more than one of the systems 100 describedherein can be used at a single wastewater treatment site. Specifically,two or more of the three-trailer systems can be used in order toincrease the flow rate at which the wastewater is being treated. Incertain embodiments, each three trailer system 100 is capable oftreating the wastewater to desired discharge limitations at 500 gallonsper minute. Using multiple three trailer systems 100 can increase thatflow rate as needed.

Furthermore, as noted above the inventive system can be used in a plugand play manner. Specifically, in certain embodiments the holding tank200 and the second trailer 400 may be used in a system, but it may bedesired to change out the first trailer 300 for a different trailercontaining different treatment components therein. This differenttrailer can simply be brought to the site and fluidly coupled to theholding tank 200 and to the second trailer 400 using various conduits ina desired manner. Thus, different treatment regimens can be performed byplugging different trailers into and out of the system as needed. Any ofmany different combinations of trailers and system components can beused to meet the needs of a particular wastewater site.

In certain of the claims of the present invention, the steps are writtenin a particular order. However, it should be understood that some of thesteps can take place concurrently. Specifically, some of the steps occurin a continual manner such that those steps occur concurrently with thesteps that precede and/or follow.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for backwashing a sand filtercomprising: at least one sand filter configured to remove solids from anuntreated wastewater; a container storing chlorine therein, thecontainer being fluidly coupled to the at least one sand filter by achlorine supply manifold; a pump positioned on the chlorine supplymanifold between the container and the at least one sand filter, thepump alterable between an off state whereby chlorine cannot flow fromthe container to the at least one sand filter and an on state wherebychlorine flows from the container to the at least one sand filter, thepump being biased into the off state; a processor operably coupled tothe pump and configured to automatically actuate the pump into the onstate to flow the chlorine from the container into the at least one sandfilter upon detecting that the at least one sand filter is beingbackwashed; wherein when the at least one sand filter is beingbackwashed, backwash wastewater flows from the at least one sand filterthrough a backwash conduit; at least one hydrocyclone having an inletport fluidly coupled to the backwash conduit for receiving the backwashwastewater, the at least one hydrocyclone configured to separate thebackwash wastewater into solid material and a liquid; the at least onehydrocyclone having a first outlet port fluidly coupled to a settlingtank and a second outlet port fluidly coupled to a slop tank; andwherein the liquid flows from the at least one hydrocyclone through thefirst outlet port and into the settling tank and wherein the solidmaterial flows from the at least one hydrocyclone through the secondoutlet port and into the slop tank.
 2. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising: a first sand filter and a second sand filter, the first sandfilter fluidly coupled to the container by a first chlorine injectionconduit and the second sand filter fluidly coupled to the container by asecond chlorine injection conduit; a first valve positioned on the firstchlorine injection conduit, the first valve operably coupled to theprocessor and alterable between an open position and a closed position,the first valve being biased into the closed position; and a secondvalve positioned on the second chlorine injection conduit, the secondvalve operably coupled to the processor and alterable between an openposition and a closed position, the second valve being biased into theclosed position.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the processor isconfigured to automatically actuate the pump into the on state andactuate the first valve into the open position while leaving the secondvalve in the closed position when the first sand filter is beingbackwashed.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configuredto automatically backwash the at least one sand filter based on presetcriteria selected from the group consisting of a preset time intervaland a predetermined pressure differential being measured across one ofthe first and second sand filters.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein theat least one sand filter, the at least one hydrocyclone and the settlingtank are positioned on a trailer.
 6. A system for backwashing a sandfilter comprising: at least one sand filter configured to remove solidsfrom an untreated wastewater; a backwash conduit fluidly coupled to theat least one sand filter, wherein when the at least one sand filter isbeing backwashed, backwash wastewater flows from the at least one sandfilter through the backwash conduit; and a clarifying agent injectionport positioned on the backwash conduit for injecting a clarifying agentinto the backwash wastewater.
 7. The system of claim 6 furthercomprising at least one hydrocyclone having an inlet port fluidlycoupled to the backwash conduit for receiving the backwash wastewater,the at least one hydrocyclone configured to separate the backwashwastewater into solid material and a liquid.
 8. The system of claim 7further comprising: the at least one hydrocyclone having a first outletport fluidly coupled to a settling tank and a second outlet port fluidlycoupled to a slop tank; and wherein the liquid flows from the at leastone hydrocyclone through the first outlet port and into the settlingtank and wherein the solid material flows from the at least onehydrocyclone through the second outlet port and into the slop tank. 9.The system of claim 7 wherein the clarifying agent injection port islocated between the at least one sand filter and the at least onehydrocyclone.
 10. The system of claim 6 further comprising: a containerstoring chlorine therein, the container being fluidly coupled to the atleast one sand filter by a chlorine supply manifold; a pump positionedon the chlorine supply manifold between the container and the at leastone sand filter, the pump alterable between an off state wherebychlorine cannot flow from the container to the at least one sand filterand an on state whereby chlorine flows from the container to the atleast one sand filter, the pump being biased into the off state; and aprocessor operably coupled to the pump and configured to automaticallyactuate the pump into the on state to flow the chlorine from thecontainer into the at least one sand filter upon detecting that the atleast one sand filter is being backwashed.
 11. The system of claim 6wherein the clarifying agent is a flocculent or polymer that causessolids that are in the backwash wastewater to flocculate or accumulatetogether into a mass.
 12. A system for backwashing a sand filtercomprising: at least one sand filter configured to remove solids from anuntreated wastewater; a backwash conduit fluidly coupled to the at leastone sand filter, wherein when the at least one sand filter is beingbackwashed, backwash wastewater flows from the at least one sand filterthrough the backwash conduit; at least one hydrocyclone having an inletport fluidly coupled to the backwash conduit for receiving the backwashwastewater, the at least one hydrocyclone configured to separate thebackwash wastewater into solid material and a liquid; the at least onehydrocyclone having a first outlet port fluidly coupled to a settlingtank and a second outlet port fluidly coupled to a slop tank; andwherein the liquid flows from the at least one hydrocyclone through thefirst outlet port and into the settling tank and wherein the solidmaterial flows from the at least one hydrocyclone through the secondoutlet port and into the slop tank.
 13. The system of claim 12 furthercomprising a clarifying agent injection port positioned on the backwashconduit between the at least one sand filter and the at least onehydrocyclone for injecting a clarifying agent into the backwashwastewater upstream of the at least one hydrocyclone.